The Pipes are Calling: Bob Gillespie, Piper
Feb. 28, 2013 – When Bob Gillespie reached 50 years of age, he decided that he would learn to play a musical instrument. “I considered piano lessons,” he said, “but when I heard the robust sound of the great highland bagpipes, played at a Bethel Church Memorial Day service, I knew I wanted to play the pipes.” That summer…
Bald Eagles Return to the Door Islands
Feb. 28, 2013 – The largest “top of the food chain” bird inhabiting the Door Islands is the bald eagle. The scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. This species can grow to more than 33 inches long with a wing span of up to eight feet. Females are larger than the males…
Training for an Ice Rescue
Jan. 31, 2013 – On the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, the Washington Island Fire Department practiced ice rescue techniques at the unused ferry dock in Detroit Harbor. The WIFD was able to find thin ice near the fish tug, Sea Diver, owned and operated by Ken Koyen. WIFD personnel put on Mustang water immersion and survival suits, which are waterproof and…
Dredging Progress at Potato Dock
Jan. 3, 2013 – On Dec. 19, 2012 – a calm, sunny and mild day – Roen Salvage began dredging the Potato Dock in preparation for its use as this winter’s Island dock for the Washington Island Ferry Line. Dredging operations began with…
Birds You Might See in Your Bird Feeders in Early
Jan. 3, 2013 – Several bird species are likely to frequent Island feeders in early winter. A good bird book is needed to confirm your identifications; books by Peterson, Sibley, Stokes, or National Geographic are excellent. See the sidebar for descriptions of these books…
Winter Landing: Potato Dock
Dec. 16, 2012 – With guaranteed certainty because of reduced lake levels this past month, when it comes time to break ice with the Arni J. Richter this winter, the Potato Dock will be the only available Island landing. “Drawing slightly over 11 feet when loaded…
Business Retention Ideas for Washington Island
Dec. 13, 2012 – On Monday, Dec. 3, Sam Perlman, economic development manager at the Door County Economic Development Corporation, visited Washington Island and made a presentation about the DCEDC’s business retention programs. Perlman’s visit came at the invitation of…
Christmas Bird Count on Washington Island, Dec. 14
Nov. 29, 2012 – From Dec. 14, 2012, through Jan. 5, 2013, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in the annual Christmas bird count. Families and students, birders and scientists armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists take to the fields and forests or their own backyards to count the presence and number of bird species in their particular areas. Each of these citizen scientists makes a contribution to the knowledge and conservation of bird life as they assist National Audubon and other…
Washington Island Ferry Line Purchases Karfi
Nov. 29, 2012 – On Nov. 14, 2012, Washington Island Ferry Line president Hoyt Purinton announced the purchase of the Karfi from Jeff Cornell. The Karfi is a 36-foot steel vessel built in Escanaba, Mich., in 1967. It has been carrying campers, hikers and day visitors between Jackson Harbor and Rock Island State Park. During each of the past 46 summers the Karfi was operated by members of the Cornell family…
Proposed 2013 Town of Washington Budget to Fund Continuation of Island Capital Improvement Plan
Nov. 15, 2012 – The Washington Island Town Board is proposing a town budget of $2,638,477 for 2013. In addition to funding usual levels of town operations, this budget is expected to also provide support to an ongoing capital improvement plan (CIP) designed to provide future Island infrastructure needed to support the town’s vision. The budget is summarized and compared with its 2012 counterpart…
2013 – Feb 9-17: Celebrating Winter & Fish Derby
A week long celebration of ice and snow with food, fun, adventure and entertainment. Sponsored by the Washington Island Chamber of Commerce, the event calendar is anchored in several main events which include: the annual Chili Cook Off, Photo Contest, the Washington Island Lion’s Club Fish Derby, Community Bingo party, and each year: a “surprise” event! Local food specials, bake sales, live music, Island Players…
The Danish Mill: Baking Every Day – Early!
Oct. 4, 2012 – Even though Tom Nikolai and the staff at the Danish Mill do a lot of the prep work for the morning baking on the day before, “I usually don’t get my first cup of coffee until about 8 o’clock,” says Tom Nikolai. “Before that, it’s nonstop.” Just when does “before” start? “I get in here at about 4:45 every morning,” said Nikolai…
Mack and Maple Syrup
Oct. 4, 2012 – Washington Island has a large number of sugar maple trees. In the late winter the sap in those trees “runs,” and ambitious Islanders spend weeks collecting that sap and reducing it to make maple syrup. The process is hard work, but as all say “the results can be sweet.” One Islander who spends late February and March making maple syrup is Mack Gunnlaugsson…
Ted Hansen Recovering
Sept. 20, 2012 – Ted Hansen, recovering from shoulder surgery, has been selling his farm produce from a roadside stand in front of his Main Road farm this summer. Photo by Dick Purinton…
Great Lakes Pirate Dan Seavey and the Schooner Wanderer
Sept. 20, 2012 – Dr. Richard Boyd, underwater archeologist and author, presented an intriguing and, at times, humorous Archives program on pirate Dan Seavey, on Aug. 23, 2012, at the TPAC on Washington Island. These two photos are from Boyd’s book, “A Pirate Roams Lake Michigan: The Dan Seavey Story,” published by the Wisconsin Underwater Archeo-logy Association…
Coast Guard Reconsiders Removal of Metal Buoys in Detroit Harbor
Sept. 20, 2012 – The U.S. Coast Guard has stated it will replace the all-weather metal buoys that were removed from Detroit Harbor by a crew aboard a Coast Guard Aids to Navigation (ATON) craft from Muskegon, Mich., during the week of Aug. 6. The reinstalled metal buoys will remain in place for the coming winter. In an email received on Sept. 6, 2012, by Washington Island Ferry Line president, Hoyt Purinton…
EMS on Washington Island: Nurse Direct or 911?
Sept. 20, 2012 – I was asked this question several times in the last month: “Can you explain the difference between calling Nurse Direct and calling 911?” Well, sure I can! 911 is all about emergency response. Think of it like this: “I need help now!” Call 911…
Work Continues at Plum Island; Public Access Likely in Future
Sept. 20, 2012 – On Saturday, Aug. 25, a group of volunteers met on Plum Island to remove invasive plants and to shore up buildings before winter. MaryBeth Volmer, Sue Griem, Ida Whitney and Kristin Piel filled 10 bags with spotted knapweed, an invasive plant, that they pulled from in front of the lifesaving station…
Capital Brewery Hosts the 8th Annual Harvest Fest at Washington Island Hotel
For the last seven years Capital Brewery has visited Washington Island to thank the wheat farmers for their continued supply of wheat for Capital’s Island Wheat beer; brewed with local Wisconsin ingredients including wheat harvested on Door County’s Washington Island. This year Harvest Fest will take place on Saturday, September 15 from 1-5pm at the Washington Hotel & Restaurant. Capital Brewery will be supplying…
Washington Island, WI – A Documentary
VIDEO: 30-min. documentary about Washington Island, Door County, WI.
